360 Engine Cleaning

[1972F100]

Hi All!

I've been reading for a year, and now that I've got the 360 pulled out of my 72 f100, I'm going to be asking a lot of questions. I won't waste anyone's time, or at least try not too. A lot of what I need is already posted. I'm new to all of this, but wanting to learn.

What are the various ways you can clean a pulled engine, and what sort of pros/cons can you expect with each way?

Thanks!
Douglas

[hotrodfeguy]

Is this something you plan on tearing down before reinstall ?

[1972F100]

That depends on what I find. I took the engine out for a couple of reasons...first, to learn how to do it. Second, there was an engine oil leak on the rear of the block. I figured it was either a rear main seal or intake manifold gasket.

Now that I have the engine out, I figured I might as well replace anything that is a normal wear and tear, and throw some performance mods on it.

On one extreme, I'm guessing a hot bath requires a full teardown to block alone, which is then dipped in some chemical cleaners in a large tank that take the block back to day 1 clean. I'm not sure I what to go that far.

At the other extreme is just a wire brush and a wipe down of the grime. Which is not enough.

I don't think I want to go to either extreme. I think I want something in the middle...a clean engine with new stuff where needed, that still looks like it has been used.

I should add the engine is good shape appearance-wise. Barely any surface rust, lots of original Ford Blue still left.

[DGrant09]

Unfortunately I cannot speak for the bath cleaning. I do believe you are correct as far as tearing the block down.
With mine assembled I have used everything from the engine cleaners to oven cleaner.
The oven cleaner work pretty good on some stubborn thick layers of grease and dirt however I would be careful around plastic and rubber, and make sure to get it all off. If it is not too bad, I have and still use Simple Green undiluted. Use this with a medium nylon brush and let it soak for a bit. I also use this on my garage floor to clean up my oil and anti freeze messes. The stuff works pretty good. Around the carb I still use old carb cleaner..

[OldRedFord]

Go to Lowes and pick up a jug of Purple Power. Spray away. Let sit. Scrub a bit. Bl.ast with hose.


This is how I cleaned my engine, even inside. Then I took a set of engine cleaning brushes and ran them through all the oil passages in the block and crank.

[fordman]

car wash will blow the big junk off of it so you can get the greasy slimy stuff of with your choice of cleaners.

[1972F100]

Thanks Guys! Just what I needed. It sounds like you can sort of go to town on it...i was afraid that I might jack something up.

Looks like a nice weekend temp wise in north texas, so hopefully I can get some wrench time in!

[hotrodfeguy]

Otherwise I have gone to the local carwash and pressure washed em before. Only hting I would not do this if i was not going to tear it down shortly. Water can get in there and rust things, if not tore down. I would venture to say the oil leak you had was the rear main seal. fairly common.

[ToughOldFord]

Just don't do the carwash thing if you're in Kalifornia, major finage there for decreasing in a carwash.

[HOWDY69]

If he blasts away won't stuff get in the intake and/or exhast? Sounds like he is not going to tear down the engine.

[Power By Ford 70 F250 4x4]

Some plastics,vinyls and rubber can be ruined by using simple green.The best and safest way is to use Marine Clean,which is made by POR-15

[mjhaltom]

Purple power...let it sit and dry...Purple power...repeat as many times as you have time for...then pressure washer. I just did mine and was amazed. Use the PP full strength.

[fastEdsel]

I don't know what your financial position is or what you expect from doing a "cosmetic overhaul" of your 360 but a 360 is a serious engine so consider a serious overhaul and cleaning. On our aircraft engines we swear by WD40 and Purple Cleaner. Soak the entire engine down with the WD40 and let it sit for about 1/2 hour. Then soak it with the Purple Cleaner, let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes and pressure wash it. Just don't let the Purple Cleaner get onto any painted surface. But, what I have done with a few of my "Y" blocks and big block Ford's is take them to your local Community College and place them in their apprentice auto mechanic program. They will dismantle the blocks, boil the oil and all the grime off them and return them to you, no charge. All you have to do is the rest and there is plenty of good people and advise on this site to help you with assembling your engine to get you going again. I would also suggest purchasing a double roller timing chain and trading in your crankshaft for a "crank kit" that comes with the crankshaft and rod and mains to fit your new overhaul. You can even have your crank done this way and it is what I have done quite frequently. One other thing, if you choose to go the college route, have them install new camshaft bearings, it will be done right.

[oaskills]

hot water, steam, and pressure are the things that I found work for me. Either that or a little wire brush on a dremel takes it down to bare metal and can get into the little knooks and crannies without being to invasive.